If you are like most of our clients, you live 2012 at maximum speed. Between work, family, activities and your health, plus the stress related to phone calls and emails, you have limited time. Consequently, if you have to move this year, it is possible that you decide to give the responsibility of realizing your real estate dreams to a professional broker.

After a brief research, you find a few real estate service offers and you wonder how much commission you should pay for quality service. The objective when you sell a property is to save time and money and obtain the best possible selling price.

Traditionally, during the sale of a property, you pay a percentage that can vary according to the services offered and only at the time the house is sold. It is essential to ask the broker to show a written marketing plan before choosing him/her, in order to better assess your investment. Some offers might seem clearly less expensive than average, but if the broker does not have a quality and well organized marketing plan, if he/she is not available for the visits and if his/her experience in your market and his/her negotiation skills are limited, this decision might be costly, even if the commission percentage is lower.

Make sure that you get what you pay for by hiring a broker who can demonstrate his/her experience and skills with the presentation of a complete and innovative marketing plan as well as with warranty and insurance programs to which you are entitled. A good broker will have the skills to maximize your selling price during negotiations with the buyer and will know, if required, how to organize an environment of multiple offers to your advantage while conforming to the rules of fellow agents.

The choice of a real estate broker is an important decision that will impact the overall transaction. It is crucial to deal with someone you trust, who will offer high quality service and protect your interest while obtaining the best selling price for you … chose carefully!